When it comes to the Christopher Reeve Superman Movies, I’ve noticed that the fans seem to be divided into one of two camps.

The Donner Loyalists and the Salkind Supporters.

It’s obvious which camp you guys are in, you wear your love for Richard Donner on your sleeves. I just find it fascinating that, while one group of fans remains fiercely devoted to Dick Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, for taking what the Salkinds gave them, and giving it the “Verisimilitude” it needed…There’s another contingent of fans who, while they appreciate what Donner brought to the table, insist that it’s REALLY the Salkinds who deserve all the credit for bringing Superman to the big screen in the first place.

I do believe that the focal point of this divide stems from Superman II. Superman: The Movie will always be MY favorite, and nothing will ever displace it from that position, but I can’t tell you how many people I know that claim *Superman II* is the superior Superman movie.

It’ll be interesting to hear what you guys have to say about “II” going forward.

I can’t tell you how happy I was when I realized that Superman II Movie Minute had been recorded! That was a great first episode and definitely worth the wait! I’m really looking forward to listening to future episodes!

As a kid, I favored Superman II, but as I aged and “matured”, Superman The Movie became my favorite and one of my overall favorite films. That doesn’t take away from my enjoyment and respect for Superman II, it’s quite the achievement, what with all the backstage drama and the basic limitations of the times, it’s amazing that it emerged as great as it did. With regards to the Dick Donner cut, I never understood the love for it; after watching it, I was vastly disappointed. Would I love to go to an alternate reality and see what a fully filmed Dick Donner Superman II would look like? Of course! But the Frankenstein Donner/Lester Superman II is a far superior and enjoyable film to the Donner cut (sorry Dick!) Keep up the great work gentleman!

I can’t speak for Rob…but I kind of will. I think we both agree with you there Mick. The Donner Cut is a great curiosity, but as a true film, its not quite there. That’s the reason we’re talking about the “Lester” (Lester/Donner) theatrical cut.

Hope you don’t mind a few general comments on my feelings toward Superman 2 before you get into the meat of the movie.

Back in 1981, I knew nothing of the behind the scenes drama and still loved Superman 2. I guess I felt all-grown up since I didn’t have to sit on my mom’s hard purse as a booster seat, like I did at Superman : The Movies. My mom was disappointed that she didn’t like Superman 2 as much as the first one.

Now, I still love both the original cut and the Donner cut, but Superman 2 is a great what-if for me. Although the Donner cut is unfinished, I think there is enough there for me to conclude Superman 2 would have been a far better movie if Donner had been allowed to complete it. It also answers the questions of how Superman got his powers back, which is a gaping plot-hole in the theatrical cut. If Donner had completed Superman 2, I think it WOULD have been the best Superman movie and a candidate for best comic book movie ever. I’m also sad that Superman 2, in whatever form, is really the last live-action Superman movie I enjoyed.

My other great what-if: Caroline Munro as Ursa. Ms. Munro stated in interviews that she was offered the role, but turned it down to take The Spy Who Loved Me. Her agent thought Bond was almost an assured hit, where as Superman was untested. The Spy Who Loved Me is my favorite Bond that was made after the 60s, and one of my favorites, period. I’m glad Ms. Munro contributed to that. Still, she would have been AWESOME as Ursa, and it was a much larger role.

Nothing against Sarah Douglas, but Caroline Munro makes EVERYTHING better. Imagine that Treasury Edition with similar pictures of Miss Munroe…YOWZA.

And I agree, the REAL Donner cut of Superman II would have been a true tour de force of cinema, and probably would have been a superior film to either version. You can see the potential there in the existing Donner cut. It’s still great to have it, and we will discuss it down the line, at least for an episode.